Golly Gee!!!! TOO soon for a new puppy? Surely you jest! Of course I realize there is the chewing-all-in-sight, and wow-if-Mom-dug-in-this-it-must-be-something-fabulous stages, but hey he/she will have an older, sage, savvy mentor! And. Not to be ignored, Rusty will not be in the midst of his last stages, and will thoroughly enjoy romping when Lady Moosey gardens (at those times when this has been a great bore to him.) I know you know this already, but a female puppy would not face as much territorial resistance. And. Mercy, Lady M., just how badly do you want that tree house? Surely you perceive what a trump card new puppen-dog would be??!!??